Hydration by pump pressure



Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES JUDSON PATENT OFFICE.

A. DE CEW, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO PROCESS ENGINEERS, I1\T.- CORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW. YORK.

HYDRATIOII BY PUMP PRESSURE.

No Drawing. Application filed April 7,

" cellulosic fibres.

The principal object of the invention is to hydrate such fibres by causing a rubbing action among themselves, induced by pump pressure. 7 2

There are several machines used in paper making that are used for refining the fibres, having a revolving cone or disc rubb ng against a stationary surfaceor one revolving in an opposite direction. The most com monly used machine is the Jordan engine, which is a cone shape machine with a revolving plug. The contact surfaces maybe made of abrasive material or they may contain bars or knives. I

The paper making material which is to be refined or cut, flows between these rubbing surfaces, while these surfaces are in contact,

and a large amount of power is consumed in frictionwhen operating this machine. If the surfaces did not come into contact there would be but little work done on the fibres. I have discovered a method of operating with such machines, which not only reduces greatly the amount of power consumed, but which produces a different action on the pulp fibres, so that a stronger and more pliable sheet of paper can be made.

My method reduces the friction between the rubbing surfaces of the machine and increases the friction between the rubbing surfaces of the fibres, so that the fibres can be hydrated and refined without the fibres being cut by the knives of the machine.

In all J ordans and machines of like character, the pulp is'fed to them by gravity, in a fluid condition in which the fibres may be said to be floating or suspended in the water surrounding them. If the pulp stock is not fluid but thickened so that there is 110-surplus water to suspend the fibres. then the fibres are resting upon other fibres and the stock will not flow by gravity between the rubbing surfaces of the machine.

-I have discovered that by the use of pump pressure I can force ,such a non-liquid fibrous mass between the rubbing surfaces of the Jordan engine or similar machine, and when this is'done, a new result is obtained from the use of the machine. The rubbing surfaces are set so that the friction between the surfaces is greatly reduced and the space between thesesurfaces is filled"with a stiff means of pump pressure.

1926. Serial No. 100,449.

mass of fibres, which are forced to'rub against each other with considerable resistance. An extreme refining and hydrating action is brought to bear, which prepares the stock in a different manner and produces a long pliable fibre that is better for making a. strong paper.

quired character, or it may be forced through a series of machines.

My description of a non-liquid pulp is one from which excess water does not flow readily, the water contained being within and on the surface of the fibres. When the pulp stock has reached the condition that there is no excess water, then there is a marked change in the viscosity of the material.

In forcing the stock through the machine, I may pump it either inthe direction of or against the centrifugal force of the machine.

By pump pressure, I mean any form of direct pressure, induced by mechanical, hydraulic. or pneumatic means, as distinct from a static head. While hydration is the chief object of this invention, a refining of the fibres can also be obtained at the same time.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A method of hydrating fibres by means of aJordan engine, which consists in forcing a non-liquid pulp through the Jordan by 2. A method of hydrating paper making fibres, which consists in thickening amixture of pulp fibres that are dispersed in a water medium,'until these fibres arebrought into contact with each other, and then forcing them by means, of pump pressure through a refining machine ofthe Jordan type.

3. A method of hydrating pulp fibres, which consistsin draining off excess water from the mass until a non-liquid pump is produced and then forcing the mass under the revolving surface so that there is no actual contact with the opposing surface, and then forcing the fibres etween these surfaces by means of pump pressurefthe fibres being in actual contact with each other and not separated by an aqueous medium.

6. A method or" hydrating pulp fibres, which consists in forcing the fibres through a Jordan engine by pump pressure, the density of the stock being such that it is nonliquid.

7. A. method of hydrating pulp fibres, which consists in pumping the stock through a Jordan engine at such a consistency that there is an insuflicient amount of Water to float the fibres. 

